MERT
(Massage Emergency Response Team)
- AMTA MERT places professionally trained massage therapists in emergency response environments where their skill in therapeutic touch can bring respite to emergency responders and emergency response managers.
- MERT may be working alongside individuals from federal and state emergency management agencies, the Red Cross, the National Guard, law enforcement, and other responding agencies.
- Long before the concept of MERT, emergency management agencies developed policies and procedures allowing them to respond cooperatively and effectively to disasters. AMTA MERT integrates into the fabric of disaster response by speaking similar language and using procedures that are familiar to all emergency management personnel.
January 22, 2010
Our AMTA National office has sent more information about how we can get involved.
All of the following are ideas from National that we are encouraged to pursue:
- To offer massage therapy to responders/rescue workers traveling to and from Haiti from your state, as well as people answering phones at agency offices, contact any of the following organizations.
We are confirming if we have specific contacts in the organizations to work with.- American Red Cross and listings for American Red Cross Chapters across the U.S.
- The Salvation Army
- International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
- Emergency Rescue Massage International
- U.S. military bases – We hope to provide you with specific contact information soon.
- To offer massage to friends and family members of those affected in Haiti, you can contact organizations serving Haitian communities in your state.
- To hold fundraisers for charitable organizations providing relief in Haiti:
Simply send the following information to Melissa Spani (mspani@amtamassage.org), volunteer development program manager, to post your event.
- Please indicate "Volunteer_Connections_Question" in the Subject line.
- Event/Activity name
- Date
- Location
- Time.
- Think about how volunteers will be organized, as well as the start and end times. Will there be shifts you could advertise?
- Description of the event: To whom are you giving the money? How much are you charging for each session?
- Volunteer reponsibilities:
- Hands-on therapy volunteers: Do they need to bring their own supplies? What approaches of massage therapy are welcome?
- On-site coordinators: Do you need help organizing the event? Tell what kind of help might be useful.
- Other volunteers: Do you have other volunteer positions available? For instance, someone to take intake forms or check folks in, someone to monitor the lines, etc.
- Contact information: Who has agreed to be the contact for volunteers? Someone will need to keep track of volunteers and tell them how to take action to join you.
Jan, 18, 2010:
The first thing we learn in MERT Training is that massage therapists are not first responders in disaster relief efforts, so we are not needed in the first moments.
We also talk about safety. The situation in Haiti poses extreme challenges to safety. The risk of physical injury due to earthquake damage and civil unrest is very real, as is the less obvious but also life-threatening risk of diseases such as Hepatitis C, HIV, dysentery, and others common to the area. Transportation to the area is also a big issue and is being carefully rationed to support the most vital needs (such as food and water transport).
Because of this, individuals are strongly discouraged from travelling to Haiti at this time.
We are going to continue to stay in close contact with AMTA National, the American Red Cross, and other international agencies to learn what we can do as a team and as AMTA members.
The limitations of our state licensing and the mandate of the AMTA make it very difficult (and perhaps impossible right now) to work as a team in other countries.
But we will continue to explore options to contribute directly as therapists and will post more information as soon as it becomes available.
What you can do in the meantime:
- arrange chair massage at your local Red Cross chapter to serve their staff
- hold fundraisers with chair massage, giving the proceeds to the Red Cross
--and--
- send other ideas to us to share!
E-mail questions, ideas, or information you have to
tstigers@packagingcorp.com
Thank you,
Terri Stigers - Ohio MERT Coordinator
Background:
Tuesday afternoon, January 12th, 2010, a 7.0 in magnitude earthquake struck less than ten miles from the Caribbean city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a third world country.
Several of us on the Ohio Board, Yvonne Fey (MERT founder), and Terri Stigers (state MERT Coordinator) have received calls from therapists.
They are asking if we are doing anything regarding a MERT or a MERT-style deployment to Haiti, and if they can help.
Terri is working with Yvonne and Ramona Chance, AMTA-Ohio President, to address this urgent issue.
We have been in contact with AMTA National, the American Red Cross, and several other international associations.
They are stating that there might be a need later. At this time they are asking for monetary donations.
I [Terri] will be updating this site as information comes to me.
You can donate
- through www.redcross.org,
- through your local Red Cross chapter,
- by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767),
- or by mail to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims.
MERT is an honorable and noble volunteer opportunity. MERT is highly appreciated by those who have received our services. MERT is no less important than Sports Massage or your clients. MERT only takes time if and when there is a disaster.
Of course, we don't go around hoping there are disasters. With this in mind, MERT gets thrown into a "Catch 22" situation. Time is only needed when and if there is a disaster and if you can work it into your schedule.
What Ohio MERT does need is your help to make sure that when our help is needed, emergency response authorities know we are here for them.
We need you to spread the word about MERT's services to those in your area. Ohio MERT has literature to share and advice on how to approach emergency responders in your area.
If you would like to approach your local EMS authorities, let me [Terri] know and I will get information to you.
If you have already attended Ohio MERT training but have not sent in all your documentation, don't forget we need your information before you can be activated!
We need a completed application form, passport photos, and updated copy of your AMTA card showing proof of insurance.
Contact me any time for more information or to get copies of the application paper.
Check the 2010 convention information for news about the next MERT training class!
It is never too late to join a rewarding program such as MERT where you can give back to our community at large and promote professionalism in massage therapy.
Terri Stigers
Ohio's State Coordinator
513.226.5116 Home & Cell
tstigers@packagingcorp.com